Sealable product containment bag

ABSTRACT

A sealable product containment bag structure is described that includes generally rectangular shaped front and rear panels and pleated generally rectangular side panels connected to the front and rear panels, the front, rear and side panels forming at one end thereof an open top for the bag structure and being folded together at the other end thereof to form a closed bottom. In one embodiment of the invention, adhesive strips are disposed in confronting relationship to each other on the inner surfaces of the front and rear panels near the open top end of the bag whereby the adhesive strips adhere to each other and to the inner surfaces of the side panels when the side panels are folded inwardly in a closed condition for the bag structure.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to shopping bags or the like and more particularly to a sealable product containment bag for containing an item such as a gift item, retail sales item, a fast food or carryout restaurant item, or other product.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Retail sales establishments, fast food and carryout restaurants and other retailers use various sizes, shapes and kinds of bags to assist the customer in containing, transporting, protecting and preserving purchased goods, food and other products purchased by the customer. Additionally, gift bags of various sizes and types are in wide use for containing a gift for a gift-giving occasion and are frequently used in place of gift wrap paper.

Gift bags in current use are typically substantially rectangular in shape with an open top for receiving an item and generally have handles attached at each side of the top opening. Although it is desirable to conceal a gift item within the gift bag, bags in general current use provide no means to sealably close the opening so as to conceal the item contained in the bag. Similarly, bags in current use for containing fast foods or other consumables procured at a fast food or carryout restaurant provide no means to securely enclose an item so as to preserve freshness or to provide hot or cold insulation.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a sealable product containment bag structure comprising:

(a) generally rectangular confronting front and rear panels, each of said front panel and said rear panel having an inner surface and an outer surface;

(b) pleated generally rectangular side panels interconnecting said front and rear panels, each of said side panels having an inner surface and an outer surface, said inner surfaces of said front, rear and side panels defining a generally rectangular volumetric shape;

(c) said front, rear and said side panels defining a top opening for the bag structure at a first end of said panels, said front, rear and side panels folded together at a second end of said panels to form a closed bottom for the bag structure;

(d) each of said side panels having pleats whereby said side panels are foldable inwardly between said front and rear panels in a closed condition for the bag structure; and

(e) a first adhesive strip disposed on the inner surface of said front panel along the width thereof near said first end of said front panel, and a second adhesive strip disposed on the inner surface of said rear panel along the width thereof near said first end thereof, said second adhesive strip disposed in confronting relationship with said first adhesive strip, whereby said adhesive strips adhere to each other along a middle portion of said adhesive strips and adhere to the inner surfaces of said side panels along the end portions of said adhesive strips with said side panels folded inwardly in said closed condition.

The invention also relates to a sealable product containment bag structure comprising:

(a) generally rectangular confronting front and rear panels, each of said front panel and said rear panel having an inner surface and an outer surface;

(b) pleated generally rectangular side panels interconnecting said front and rear panels, each of said side panels having an inner surface and an outer surface, said inner surfaces of said front, rear and side panels defining a generally rectangular volumetric shape;

(c) said front, rear and said side panels defining a top opening for the bag structure at a first end of said panels, said front, rear and side panels folded together at a second end of said panels to form a closed bottom for the bag structure;

(d) each of said side panels having pleats whereby said side panels are foldable inwardly between said front and rear panels in a closed condition for the bag structure;

(e) each of said front and rear panels including a marginal extension in the form of a closure flap at said first ends of said front and rear panels; and

(f) an adhesive strip disposed on the inner surface of at least one of said closure flaps along the width of said opening and in confronting relationship with the inner surface of the other said closure flap, whereby said closure flaps adhere to each other in said closed condition.

The invention further relates to a sealable product containment bag structure comprising

(a) generally rectangular confronting front and rear panels, each of said front panel and said rear panel having an inner surface and an outer surface;

(b) pleated generally rectangular side panels interconnecting said front and rear panels, each of said side panels having an inner surface and an outer surface, said inner surfaces of said front, rear and side panels defining a generally rectangular volumetric shape;

(c) said front, rear and said side panels defining a top opening for the bag structure at a first end of said panels, said front, rear and side panels folded together at a second end of said panels to form a closed bottom for the bag structure;

(d) each of said side panels having pleats whereby said side panels are foldable inwardly between said front and rear panels in a closed condition for the bag structure;

(e) one of said front and rear panels including a marginal extension in the form of a closure flap at said first end of said one of said front and rear panels; and

(f) an adhesive strip disposed on the inner surface of said closure flap along the width of said opening, said closure flap foldable over said opening and sealable to the outer surface of the other of said front and rear panels in said closed condition.

The invention overcomes the deficiencies in previously available gift or shopping bag structures as suggested above, by providing a product containment bag structure having a sealable adhesive closure at the top of the bag structure so that a product, gift, or other item can be sealably contained inside the bag. The sealable gift bag embodiment of the invention can be securely closed in order to conceal the item contained in the bag, the use of which can eliminate the need for a more expensive gift box or gift wrapping. Because the shopping bag of the invention can be sealed, such as at the point of retail sale, additional security benefits are provided in that an item contained in the bag is substantially protected from being taken from the purchaser surreptitiously, and, additionally, other items cannot easily be inserted into the bag after it is sealed. Further, the adhesive comprising the closure structure of the bag top opening can be selected to render the bag reclosable. In one or more of the embodiments of the invention a substantially tight seal at the top opening of the product containment bag may be accomplished, which helps to preserve freshness of consumable products contained in the bag. Further, for embodiments of the product containment bag structure comprising insulating materials, hot or cold items such as might be purchased at a food market or fast food or carryout restaurant can be insulated.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention will be more clearly understood from the following detailed description of representative embodiments thereof read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings that form a part of this disclosure, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a bag structure representative of the invention.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the bag structure of FIG. 1 as viewed generally from the bottom of the bag.

FIG. 3 is an end view of the bag structure of FIG. 1 in the folded condition.

FIG. 4 shows the upper portion of the FIG. 1 bag structure in a partially closed condition.

FIG. 5 shows the upper portion of the FIG. 1 bag structure in a substantially fully closed condition.

FIG. 6 shows a perspective view of the bag structure representative of further embodiments of the invention with respect to the top opening and adhesive closure structure.

FIG. 7 shows a view of the top portion of the bag structure of FIG. 6 illustrating an adhesive closure structure embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 8 shows a view of the top portion of the bag structure of FIG. 6 illustrating another closure structure embodiment of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Referring now to the drawings, FIG. 1 shows a perspective view a bag 10 structure representative of one embodiment of the invention. FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the bag 10 of FIG. 1 as viewed generally from the bottom of bag 10. It is noted at the outset that a highly useful application of the invention is as described herein as a gift bag for sealably concealing a gift item as a surprise for a recipient on a gift giving occasion. However, the invention in one or more of the embodiments described herein can find use as a shopping bag, product containment at point of retail sale, containment (including insulated containment) for fast food, or other use as would occur to the skilled artisan guided by these teachings.

Bag 10 comprises a generally rectangular structure having a front panel 11 and back panel 12 and side panels 13 and 14 defined by folded corners 15, 16, 17 and 18, each of said front, back and side panels having respective outer surfaces and inner surfaces defining an interior volume 20 for receiving a gift, food item, retail sales item or other product. The panels 11, 12, 13 and 14 define an opening 19 at a first end of the structure providing access to the interior volume 20 of bag 10 for inserting items therein. Side panels 13 and 14 are creased respectively as at folding lines 13 a, 13 b, and 13 c (see FIG. 2) and at folding lines 14 a, 14 b and 14 c (see FIG. 1) and one of the front or back panels 11 or 12 is creased such as at 11 a in order facilitate the inwardly folding of sides 13 and 14 to the folded condition suggested in FIG. 3. Bottom panel 22 defines a closed end for bag 10 at the second end of the bag structure opposite to opening 19.

Bag 10 and other embodiments of the invention as described herein may be formed of substantially any sheet materials customarily used in the manufacture of gift or shopping bags for retail use, such materials including cloth fabrics, plastics, paper, or materials for hot or cold insulation, or others, the same not considered limiting of the invention. In forming bag 10 using sheet material, a piece of substantially rectangular material is formed into the generally rectangular volumetric shape as shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2 by folding as at corners 15 to 18, and joined as at 24 using an adhesive in substantially conventional fashion. The bottom 22 of bag 10 can then be closed to the configuration suggested in FIG. 2 by inwardly folding portions of the bottom ends of sides 13 and 14 to the form of gussets 27 and 28 and then folding together base panels 30 and 31 of respective front panel 11 and back panel 12 and joining as at 32 using an adhesive, tape (including decorative tape) or other joining means.

Reference is now made additionally to FIG. 4 that shows a partial view (upper portion) of bag 10 as suggested in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2 folded to a partially closed condition. In accordance with one aspect of the invention, strips of pressure sensitive (e.g., non-hardening) adhesive layers 41 and 42 are disposed on the inner surfaces respectively of front panel 11 and back panel 12 near the upper end of bag 10 near opening 19. Adhesives that can be typically used in any of the embodiments of the invention as described herein include any of the pressure sensitive adhesives or cohesive-adhesive systems, or other conventional adhesive as would occur to the skilled artisan practicing the invention as taught herein, the specific adhesive selected not considered limiting of the invention or of the appended claims. Protective removable (peel-off) strips 43 and 44 of paper, plastic or other material are disposed over respective adhesive layers 41 and 42 to protect the adhesive prior to an intended use of bag 10. The protective strips may be removed and the upper end of bag 10 folded substantially as suggested in FIG. 4 and closed as at opening 19 by joining confronting adhesive layers 41 and 42 to form a sealed closure 45 as suggested in FIG. 5. In the sealed closure 45, end portions of each of the adhesive layers 41 and 42 adhere to inner surfaces of the upper ends of side panels 13 and 14 in the folded-in condition shown in FIG. 5. By selecting an adhesive for the adhesive layers in the structure of bag 10 that is releasable, the bag may be reusable.

In a further aspect of the invention, adhesive layers 48 and 49 arc disposed on side panels 13 and 14 near the top of the bag 10 structure as suggested in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, the layers 48 and 49 having respective removable protective strips 50 and 51 thereon similarly to the structures of adhesive layers 41 and 42. Adhesive layers 48 and 49 can provide additional closure seal to the folded-in portions of side panels 13 and 14 in the folded condition suggested in FIG. 5.

In yet another aspect of the invention, handles 62 and 63 may be attached in any conventional manner to the outer or inner surfaces of panels 11 and 12, such as suggested in FIG. 5, in order to provide a convenient means for carrying bag 10.

Referring now to FIG. 6, shown therein is a perspective view of a bag 70 structure representative of further structural embodiments of the invention for the top opening and adhesive closure. The bottom view of bag 70 is substantially the same as that displayed for bag 10 in FIG. 2. Bag 70 comprises a generally rectangular structure having a front panel 71 and back panel 72 and side panels 73 and 74 defined by folded corners 75, 76, 77 and 78, each of said front, back and side panels having respective outer surfaces and inner surfaces defining an interior volume 80 for receiving a gift, food item, retail sales item or other product similarly to that for bag 10 of FIG. 1. The panels 71, 72, 73 and 74 define an opening 79 at a first end of the structure providing access to the interior volume 80 of bag 70 for inserting items therein. Side panels 73 and 74 are creased respectively as at folding lines 73 a, 73 b, and 73 c (not shown in FIG. 6) and at folding lines 74 a, 74 b and 74 c shown in FIG. 6. One of the front or back panels 71 or 72 is creased such as at 71 a in order facilitate the inwardly folding of sides 73 and 74 similarly to that shown for bag 10 in FIG. 3. The bottom panel of bag 70 defines a closed second end for bag 70 opposite to opening 79. Bag 70 may be fabricated substantially as described in relation to FIG. 2 for bag 10.

With further reference now to FIG. 6, one or both of panels 71 and 72 can include marginal extensions in the form of substantially similar confronting closure flaps 81 or 82. FIG. 7 illustrates an embodiment including both closure flaps 81 and 82, and FIG. 8 illustrates an embodiment using only one closure flap, such as in the example shown, closure flap 82.

With further reference now specifically to FIG. 7 in conjunction with FIG. 6, shown is a partial view (upper portion) of bag 70 folded to a closed condition. In accordance with this aspect of the invention, strips of pressure sensitive (preferably non-hardening) adhesive layers 91 or 92 are disposed on the inner surface of at least one of closure flaps 81 and 82. Protective removable (peel-off) strips 93 and 94 of paper, plastic or other material are disposed over respective adhesive layers 91 and 92 similarly to that described for bag 10 of FIG. 1. The protective strips may be removed and the upper end of bag 7 folded substantially as suggested in FIG. 7 and closed as at opening 79 by joining confronting adhesive layers 91 and 92 to form a sealed closure 96 as suggested in FIG. 8.

With further reference now specifically to FIG. 8, shown is a partial view (upper portion) of a second form of bag 70 having one closure flap 82 folded to a closed condition. In this aspect of the invention, flap 82 having a strip of pressure sensitive adhesive layer 92 is folded over the top of panel 71 and sealed to the outer top surface of panel 71 to form the desired releasable seal 96 (FIG. 8).

In a further aspect of the invention, and with reference again to FIG. 1 and FIG. 6, a containment bag of the invention may include on the outer surfaces thereof pictures, drawings, printing or other decorative indicia 60 or other printed matter relating to the type of product enclosed, such as might be appropriate for enclosing a gift in celebration of a holiday, birthday, new-born event, or any other gift-giving event. Alternatively, indicia 60 may comprise a retail advertisement in the use of the invention as a shopping bag or fast food container or other use.

The invention therefore provides a sealable product containment bag structure It is understood that modifications to the invention may be made as might occur to one with skill in the field of the invention within the scope of the appended claims. All embodiments contemplated hereunder that achieve the benefits of the invention have therefore not been shown in complete detail. Other embodiments may be developed without departing from the spirit of the invention or from the scope of the appended claims. 

1. A sealable product containment bag structure comprising: (a) generally rectangular confronting front and rear panels, each of said front panel and said rear panel having an inner surface and an outer surface; (b) pleated generally rectangular side panels interconnecting said front and rear panels, each of said side panels having an inner surface and an outer surface, said inner surfaces of said front, rear and side panels defining a generally rectangular volumetric shape; (c) said front, rear and said side panels defining a top opening for the bag structure at a first end of said panels, said front, rear and side panels folded together at a second end of said panels to form a closed bottom for the bag structure; (d) each of said side panels having pleats whereby said side panels are foldable inwardly between said front and rear panels in a closed condition for the bag structure; and (e) a first adhesive strip disposed on the inner surface of said front panel along the width thereof near said first end of said front panel, and a second adhesive strip disposed on the inner surface of said rear panel along the width thereof near said first end thereof, said second adhesive strip disposed in confronting relationship with said first adhesive strip, whereby said adhesive strips adhere to each other along a middle portion of said adhesive strips and adhere to the inner surfaces of said side panels along the end portions of said adhesive strips with said side panels folded inwardly in said closed condition.
 2. The bag structure of claim 1 wherein said adhesive strips comprise a pressure sensitive adhesive.
 3. The bag structure of claim 2 wherein the said adhesive is selected to render said adhesive strips resealable.
 4. The bag structure of claim 1 wherein said front, rear and side panels comprise a material selected from the group consisting of paper, cloth fabric and plastic.
 5. The bag structure of claim 4 wherein said material is insulated.
 6. The bag structure of claim 1 further comprising a handle attached to each of said front and rear panels.
 7. The bag structure of claim 1 wherein front, rear and side panels are adhesively joined at said second ends of said panels to form said closed bottom for the bag structure.
 8. A sealable product containment bag structure comprising: (a) generally rectangular confronting front and rear panels, each of said front panel and said rear panel having an inner surface and an outer surface; (b) pleated generally rectangular side panels interconnecting said front and rear panels, each of said side panels having an inner surface and an outer surface, said inner surfaces of said front, rear and side panels defining a generally rectangular volumetric shape; (c) said front, rear and said side panels defining a top opening for the bag structure at a first end of said panels, said front, rear and side panels folded together at a second end of said panels to form a closed bottom for the bag structure; (d) each of said side panels having pleats whereby said side panels are foldable inwardly between said front and rear panels in a closed condition for the bag structure; (e) each of said front and rear panels including a marginal extension in the form of a closure flap at said first ends of said front and rear panels; and (f) an adhesive strip disposed on the inner surface of at least one of said closure flaps along the width of said opening and in confronting relationship with the inner surface of the other said closure flap, whereby said closure flaps adhere to each other in said closed condition.
 9. The bag structure of claim 8 wherein said adhesive strips comprise a pressure sensitive adhesive.
 10. The bag structure of claim 9 wherein the said adhesive is selected to render said adhesive strips resealable.
 11. The bag structure of claim 8 wherein said front, rear and side panels comprise a material selected from the group consisting of paper, cloth fabric and plastic.
 12. The bag structure of claim 11 wherein said material is insulated.
 13. The bag structure of claim 8 further comprising a handle attached to each of said front and rear panels.
 14. The bag structure of claim 8 wherein front, rear and side panels are adhesively joined at said second ends of said panels to form said closed bottom for the bag structure.
 15. A sealable product containment bag structure comprising: (a) generally rectangular confronting front and rear panels, each of said front panel and said rear panel having an inner surface and an outer surface; (b) pleated generally rectangular side panels interconnecting said front and rear panels, each of said side panels having an inner surface and an outer surface, said inner surfaces of said front, rear and side panels defining a generally rectangular volumetric shape; (c) said front, rear and said side panels defining a top opening for the bag structure at a first end of said panels, said front, rear and side panels folded together at a second end of said panels to form a closed bottom for the bag structure; (d) each of said side panels having pleats whereby said side panels are foldable inwardly between said front and rear panels in a closed condition for the bag structure; (e) one of said front and rear panels including a marginal extension in the form of a closure flap at said first end of said one of said front and rear panels; and (f) an adhesive strip disposed on the inner surface of said closure flap along the width of said opening, said closure flap foldable over said opening and sealable to the outer surface of the other of said front and rear panels in said closed condition.
 16. The bag structure of claim 15 wherein said adhesive strips comprise a pressure sensitive adhesive.
 17. The bag structure of claim 15 wherein said front, rear and side panels comprise a material selected from the group consisting of paper, cloth fabric and plastic.
 18. The bag structure of claim 17 wherein said material is insulated.
 19. The bag structure of claim 15 further comprising a handle attached to each of said front and rear panels.
 20. The bag structure of claim 15 wherein front, rear and side panels are adhesively joined at said second ends of said panels to form said closed bottom for the bag structure. 